July 29, 2021
Greetings,
With the region experiencing another string of 90°+ days this week, things also continue to heat up in various sectors all across Southwestern Illinois and we’re pleased to share some of the highlights with you in this edition of Good NewsLink.
After last month’s BOD meeting with the current proposed Energy Legislation as the key topic, this current proposed energy legislation poses challenges for the Metro East, phasing out combustion fuels — coal by 2035 and natural gas a decade later — as well as increased energy and social program costs related to this legislation. Cost effective, reliable energy has been a key economic driver for SWIL in maintaining businesses and attracting economic development for decades. Please take time to read “Clean energy legislation may mean southern and central Illinois will import electricity” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7/12/2021) to become more informed about this important topic for SWIL.
Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced an $8 million expansion of the Apprenticeship Illinois program, which will provide innovative and high-quality apprenticeships to prepare Illinoisans for jobs in high-demand industries. Through the expansion, the State aims to serve an additional 750 apprentices across key industries, with plans to reach underserved populations – including areas in the Metro East – as well as industries heavily impacted by COVID-19. These investments will help to ensure more Illinoisans are able to gain the skills necessary to get back to work and find well-paying jobs, while also developing strong talent pipelines for the future.
Switching gears to the development front, a joint venture led by developer TriStar Properties has sold a 593,094-square-foot mega-cube distribution center and 54 associated acres in Gateway Commerce Center – a 2,300-acre regional logistics and bulk distribution park in Edwardsville and Pontoon Beach – to an institutional buyer. Moreover, the possibility of residential apartments above ground-level shopping complexes at various locations throughout the City of Fairview Heights represents a new and radical concept that is currently under consideration by representatives of one or more retail centers.
Continue reading for links to more of what's making news in the Metro East and be sure to mark your calendar to join us for the Leadership Council’s Annual Dinner on Thursday, October 28 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Fairview Heights. In the meantime, happy reading and have a great rest of your week!
Dr. Ronda Sauget
Ronda Sauget, D. Mgmt, MBA
Executive Director and CEO
Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois
104 Magnolia Drive, Ste B
Glen Carbon, IL 62034
618-692-9745
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Clean energy legislation may mean southern and central Illinois will import electricity
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 7/12/2021)
MARISSA — For at least a decade, Illinois has been weaning itself from one of its greatest natural resources: coal. ( Read More)
Gov. Pritzker Announces $8 Million Expansion of Apprenticeship Pathways in Illinois
(Riverbender, 7/13/2021)
CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced an $8 million expansion of the Apprenticeship Illinois program. ( Read More)
TriStar Properties sells large distribution center, acreage at Gateway Commerce Center
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/15/2021)
A joint venture led by developer TriStar Properties has sold a 593,094-square-foot mega-cube distribution center and 54 associated acres in Gateway Commerce Center in Edwardsville to an institutional buyer. Financial terms were not disclosed. ( Read More)
Park district to provide $2 million for local recreation projects
(Advantage News, 6/17/2021)
The Metro East Park and Recreation District announced more than $2 million in new grant opportunities for the improvement and expansion of public parks and trails throughout Madison and St. Clair counties. (Read More)
Q&A: East St. Louis Mayor Robert Eastern III eyes infrastructure, economic development with CARES funds
(St. Louis Business Journal, 6/18/2021)
Earlier this year, the city of East St. Louis teamed up with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in hopes of securing a $20 million grant from the Kellogg Foundation. (Read More)
Fairview Heights' shopping areas looking at adding residential units
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/12/2021)
Retail stores are often situated in buildings that have residential apartments on upper stories, but that concept has never been tried in Fairview Heights. (Read More)
Southern Illinois builders groups support economic development organizations
(Illinois Business Journal, 6/21/2021)
Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program in cooperation with the Southern Illinois Builders Association, both based in O’Fallon, is promoting economic development with $2,500 donations to each of three organizations. (Read More)
Future of supply chain management getting review in Metro East
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/9/2021)
If you’ve wondered why car dealers are suffering inventory problems or why your favorite restaurant suddenly ran out of steak, welcome to Supply Chain 101. (Read More)
Lewis and Clark's YouthBuild program receives $159,459 in grants
(Advantage News, 6/24/2021)
In recognition of its continued service to youths, Lewis and Clark Community College Building Futures YouthBuild has been awarded $99,400 in AmeriCorps funding and $60,059 from a national YouthBuild USA grant, helping young people build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to professional and personal success. (Read More)
Alton Main Street again offering Façade Improvement Grant Program
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/6/2021)
Alton Main Street has launched another round of its Façade Improvement Grant Program. ( Read More)
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PCs for People help get computers in the homes of those who truly need them!
•Distributes refurbished corporate computers updated to Windows 10, with very low-cost, unlimited internet access for students, underserved populations, elderly, and veterans.
•They have connected over 450,000 people to internet and computing devices. The State of Illinois Office of Broadband has committed to facilitate the donation of 10,000 computers to PCs for People Metro East, but they have set a goal of sourcing a total of 25,000 computers in their first year in order to meet the significant need in our community, and they need our help to meet that goal.
•PCs for People is NAID AAA certified to wipe clean all data off computers and recertify them for reuse
•PC donations needed!!
If you would like more information about how to donate computers, please contact the Leadership Council office at 618-692-9745 or [email protected].
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SIUE and Scott Air Force Base form educational partnership
(Advantage News, 6/29/2021)
There’s a new three-year agreement in place that will form an educational partnership between the 375th Air Mobility Wing at Scott Air Force Base and Southern Illinois University. (Read More)
Entrepreneurs invited to join Metro East Start-Up Challenge
(Advantage News, 6/27/2021)
New business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can compete once again for prize money and support in the eighth annual Metro East Start-Up Challenge. (Read More)
Tourism bureau adds new communities
(Advantage News, 7/1/2021)
The local tourism bureau is welcoming three new communities into the fold. The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau has announced the addition of Pontoon Beach, Granite City, and East St. Louis as partners with the agency, effectively becoming the agency to promote everything happening in Madison County. (Read More)
Raising Canes to fill 95 positions for its Fairview Heights debut
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/6/2021)
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is preparing to open its first Southern Illinois Restaurant in Fairview Heights, meaning dozens of locals are about to score their new favorite job. (Read More)
SIUE to launch mental health training effort
(Advantage News, 7/21/2021)
With documented health provider shortages in the 70 counties that make up central and southern Illinois, a local university is looking to increase the number of available mental health providers. (Read More)
Avison Young marketing St. Clair Auto Mall property
(Illinois Business Journal, 7/12/2021)
The St. Louis office of commercial real estate firm Avison Young has been retained to sell or lease 19.94 acres of auto mall properties in O’Fallon, Ill. The current tenant, Auffenberg Auto Group is vacating the properties for a new facility in Shiloh. (Read More)
Green infrastructure solutions aim to protect water supply
(Chronicle Illinois, 6/20/2021)
A highway of subterranean pipes channel fresh water to and sewage away from Illinois’ homes, businesses, schools and parks. ( Read More)
Durbin discusses infrastructure bill
(Advantage News, 7/13/2021)
The U.S. Senate is getting back to work on a nationwide infrastructure bill this week. A somewhat bipartisan bill is expected to be pushed hard this week in Washington, D.C. It’s a pared-down bill that doesn’t have total backing from all Democrats or Republicans. ( Read More)
St. Peters Hardware & Rental receives July RBGA Small Business of the Month award
(Illinois Business Journal, (7/14/2021))
St. Peters Hardware & Rental has been recognized as the July 2021 Small Business of the Month by the RiverBend Growth Association. Serving customers for nearly 75 years, they are located at 2502 State St. in Alton. ( Read More)
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Check out our Education Newsletter
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SWIL Education Workforce Connection
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In April we published the first edition of the SWIL Education Workforce Connection newsletter. This is our monthly outreach to the Education and Business communities. As the name implies, the purpose is to connect stakeholders in the world of education with stakeholders in the world of business. Click on the link below to sign up, or email Dr. Bruce McLaughlin at [email protected].
Check us out!
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Thank you to the Leadership Council's Program Sponsors:
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